MN4900

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
CASE STUDY & INDIVIDUAL
REPORT
Contents
ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................4
CASE STUDY M.1................................................................................................................4
CASE STUDY M.2................................................................................................................4
CASE STUDY M.3................................................................................................................5
CASE STUDY M.4................................................................................................................5
LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................................6
FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION.........................................16
CONCLUSIONS....................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................18
ABSTRACT

There are many different ethics, however, the two most commonly used and cited methods
are professional or ethical, as well as personal values that are relevant to each person in
everyday life, as is sometimes the case. in professional work or in our personal lives. it will
deal with the question or problem of morality. Form is an unwritten belief that lays the
foundations of morality. Employed are people who put their lives into action, who manage
many things. Ethics can be seen as a list of rules that, if violated, will result in failure to
provide human services. Since an engineer is a good engineer, he should recognize the
importance of these principles both for himself and for his work. There are four case studies
in this context, but these studies help assess the degree of responsibility to protect others from
potential threats or to be honest with each other condition.
INTRODUCTION

CASE STUDY M.1

Janitha has been working as a project engineer for a mechanical energy technology firm for a
few years now and has recently been promoted to review projects for in-need communities
outside Colombo. He has been put in charge of managing the current company’s charity
projects and determining how to distribute the funding for them.
Some of the projects are straightforward in their mission and material requirement, but for
one project, Janitha isn’t sure whether the company should be funding it. The project’s
mission is to provide new solar panels for a community in an area in Eastern Province, but
the project data suggests it is more practical to just install better lighting inside the homes.
Janitha wonders whether to bring up his doubts with his boss. Based on the company’s
research on the community, the community desires better lighting system for their homes,
and the solar panels would be an expensive and high maintenance project. Not to mention,
there was a previous project that (when followed through) resulted in equipment being stolen
from the same region to exchange for money.

CASE STUDY M.2

Rasika is the head of engineering at a systems engineering company. His company has been
contracted by a company, U-sub, to make firing assemblies for torpedoes. This contract calls
for additional safety testing to ensure that the systems work properly.
The contract stipulated that it was the responsibility of Rasika’s company to pay for this
expensive additional testing. However, the CEO reminds Rasika that their company is in
financial trouble and asks Rasika to skip the extra testing and falsify the paperwork by saying
that the testing had occurred and that the systems passed. He then goes on to tell Rasika that
if he doesn’t sign off on the testing, he will be fired.
Rasika decides he cannot give in to his boss’s demands and quits. However he suspects that
his former boss will promote someone else who will be willing to sign off on the testing.
CASE STUDY M.3
Eraj is one of four managers working with a non-profit mechanical engineering firm that aims
to develop sustainable mechanical systems for developing countries. The firm funds
numerous small projects in Sri Lanka, and usually aims to utilize the local resources of the
rural areas to create the project design deliverables.
However, Eraj recently got contacted by a member of Northern Province. His firm had
worked there a few years ago. The design team had invented an inexpensive filtration
mechanism that helped the community find a healthy source of water. The project had been a
success when delivered to the community, but the community member remarked that the
filters had broken down a while ago. The community hadn’t been able to restore all the
filtration systems, as the cost to fix the filters proved to be too expensive. During this time,
the community had gone back to their old practice of drinking unfiltered water.
Eraj is unsure what the firm can do for the community, though he feels the firm should have
done more to ensure that the filters were properly maintained. The responsibility for
maintaining the filters had been on the community members they had trained, but it looks like
they were lax in their maintenance.

CASE STUDY M.4

Senuri was recently promoted to a managerial position at her industrial engineering company.
With her new position, she is now responsible for overseeing the company’s production
factory, meaning approximately 50 factory workers now report to her. Although Senuri
previously worked as an engineer and does not have any experience running a factory, she is
excited to begin her new position.
At the end of her first day, Senuri is confused to see her factory workers continuing to work
well past the end of their 8-hour shift. She then goes to the factory supervisor (who reports to
her) to express concern because the factory does not have the budget to pay so many workers
overtime. The supervisor smiles at Senuri and explains that the factory meets production
goals by making the factory workers work off the clock. The workers are well aware of this
expectation and went along with it in order to keep their jobs. Senuri is shocked to learn this
illegal practice had become part of the company culture, but the supervisor explains that the
company’s CEO (who is Senuri’s boss) is well aware of this expectation.
LITERATURE REVIEW

In Case study M.1, Janitha understands their local sponsor would gain a great advantage in
featuring solar panels in the community. It would also foster a good business partnership
between the two companies. However, Janitha feels it is his responsibility to provide the
community with a more simple and efficient solution to their problem, without diving into a
large project that could possibly lead to negative side effects.

Clause 2

Engineers shall always act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity
and dignity of the profession while safeguarding public interest at all times.

Rule2. Shall not involve themselves with any business or professional practice,
1 which they know to be fraudulent or dishonest in nature.

Rule2. Shall not associate with other persons, corporations or partnerships to

2 conceal unethical acts.

Shall not continue in partnership with, or act in professional matters with any
Rule2.
engineer who has been removed from membership of this Institution because
3
of improper conduct.

Rule2. Shall promote the principle of engagement of engineers upon the basis of
4 merit.

Shall uphold the principle of adequate and appropriate remuneration for

Rule2.
professional engineering staff in keeping with their qualifications and market
5
price.

Clause 4

Engineers shall build their reputation on merit and shall not compete unfairly.

Rule4.1 Shall neither pay nor offer, directly or indirectly, inducements to others.

Rule4.2 Shall not attempt to supplant another engineer, employed or consulting,

 who has been appointed, without his consent.

Shall neither falsify nor misrepresent their own or other's qualifications,

Rule4.3
experience and prior responsibilities

Shall respect others and not maliciously do anything to tarnish, directly or

Rule4.4
indirectly, the reputation, prospects or business of others.

Shall not use the advantage of a privileged position to compete unfairly

Rule4.5
with other engineers.

Shall exercise due restraint in explaining their own work and shall refrain
Rule4.6
from unfair criticism of the work of other engineers.

Shall give proper credit for professional work to those to whom credit is
Rule4.7
due.

Shall not resort to any form of plagiarism in their work. (new) This
includes use of such materials as written text, statistics or similar data,
diagrams, illustrations and photographs in reports, publications,
Rule4.8
examination answers, coursework submitted for academic or professional
qualifications etc., without permission, acknowledgement or reference, as if
it is the person’s own work.

Shall act with due regard to intellectual property rights of others in their
Rule4.9
work.

Shall not engage in unfair competition including charging of extremely

Rule4.10 high or low professional fees compared to market rates, in delivering
professional services

In Case study M.2, The contract stipulated that it was the responsibility of Rasika’s company
to pay for this expensive additional testing. However, the CEO reminds Rasika that their
company is in financial trouble and asks Rasika to skip the extra testing and falsify the
paperwork by saying that the testing had occurred and that the systems passed. He then goes
on to tell Rasika that if he doesn’t sign off on the testing, he will be fired.
Rasika decides he cannot give in to his boss’s demands and quits. However, he suspects that
his former boss will promote someone else who will be willing to sign off on the testing.

Clause 2

Engineers shall always act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honour, integrity
and dignity of the profession while safeguarding public interest at all times.

Rule2.  Shall not involve themselves with any business or professional practice,
1 which they know to be fraudulent or dishonest in nature.

Rule2.  Shall not associate with other persons, corporations or partnerships to

2 conceal unethical acts.

 Shall not continue in partnership with, or act in professional matters with

Rule2.
any engineer who has been removed from membership of this Institution
3
because of improper conduct.

Rule2.  Shall promote the principle of engagement of engineers upon the basis of
4 merit.

 Shall uphold the principle of adequate and appropriate remuneration for

Rule2.
professional engineering staff in keeping with their qualifications and market
5
price.

Clause 4

Engineers shall build their reputation on merit and shall not compete unfairly.

Rule4.1 Shall neither pay nor offer, directly or indirectly, inducements to others.

Shall not attempt to supplant another engineer, employed or consulting, who

Rule4.2
has been appointed, without his consent.

Shall neither falsify nor misrepresent their own or other's qualifications,

Rule4.3
experience and prior responsibilities
 Shall respect others and not maliciously do anything to tarnish, directly or
Rule4.4
indirectly, the reputation, prospects or business of others.

Shall not use the advantage of a privileged position to compete unfairly with
Rule4.5
other engineers.

Shall exercise due restraint in explaining their own work and shall refrain
Rule4.6
from unfair criticism of the work of other engineers.

Rule4.7 Shall give proper credit for professional work to those to whom credit is due.

Shall not resort to any form of plagiarism in their work. (new) This includes
use of such materials as written text, statistics or similar data, diagrams,
illustrations and photographs in reports, publications, examination answers,
Rule4.8
coursework submitted for academic or professional qualifications etc.,
without permission, acknowledgement or reference, as if it is the person’s
own work.

Shall act with due regard to intellectual property rights of others in their
Rule4.9
work.

Shall not engage in unfair competition including charging of extremely high

Rule4.10 or low professional fees compared to market rates, in delivering professional
services

Clause 7

Engineers shall give evidence, express opinions or make statements in an objective and
truthful manner.

Engineers professional reports, statements or testimony before any tribunal

shall be objective and such opinions shall be expressed only on the basis of
Rule7.
adequate knowledge and technical competence in the area, but this does not
1
preclude a considered judgment based intuitively on experience and wide
relevant knowledge.
 Engineers shall reveal the existence of any interest, pecuniary or otherwise that
Rule7.
could be taken to affect their judgment in a technical matter about which they
2
are making a statement or giving evidence.

In Case study M.3, Eraj is unsure what the firm can do for the community, though he feels
the firm should have done more to ensure that the filters were properly maintained. The
responsibility for maintaining the filters had been on the community members they had
trained, but it looks like they were lax in their maintenance.

Clause 3

Engineers shall be committed to the need for sustainable management of the planet's
resources and seek to minimize adverse environmental impacts of their engineering works or
applications of technology so as to protect both present and future generations.

 Shall carefully evaluate adverse environmental impacts of their actions and

Rule3.1
incorporate practical remedial measures to minimize them.

 Shall consider theoretical, legislative, regulatory and policy aspects of

Rule3.2 environmental protection and sustainable management of the available
resources.

 Shall work in close co-operation with members of other professions and

Rule3.3
disciplines on achieving sustainable development

 Shall critically analyze how the proposed project or the application of

Rule3.4
technology relates to sustainability considerations.

Rule3.5  Shall identify and assess options for material recovery and disposal.

 Shall analyze opportunities for resource and energy conservation and, design
Rule3.6
appropriately optimized systems. 

Clause 2

Engineers shall always act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honour, integrity
and dignity of the profession while safeguarding public interest at all times.
 Rule2.  Shall not involve themselves with any business or professional practice, which
1 they know to be fraudulent or dishonest in nature.

Rule2.  Shall not associate with other persons, corporations or partnerships to conceal
2 unethical acts.

 Shall not continue in partnership with, or act in professional matters with any
Rule2.
engineer who has been removed from membership of this Institution because
3
of improper conduct.

Rule2.  Shall promote the principle of engagement of engineers upon the basis of
4 merit.

 Shall uphold the principle of adequate and appropriate remuneration for

Rule2.
professional engineering staff in keeping with their qualifications and market
5
price.

Clause 4

Engineers shall build their reputation on merit and shall not compete unfairly.

Rule4.1 Shall neither pay nor offer, directly or indirectly, inducements to others.

Shall not attempt to supplant another engineer, employed or consulting, who

Rule4.2
has been appointed, without his consent.

Shall neither falsify nor misrepresent their own or other's qualifications,

Rule4.3
experience and prior responsibilities

Shall respect others and not maliciously do anything to tarnish, directly or

Rule4.4
indirectly, the reputation, prospects or business of others.

Shall not use the advantage of a privileged position to compete unfairly with
Rule4.5
other engineers.

Rule4.6 Shall exercise due restraint in explaining their own work and shall refrain
 from unfair criticism of the work of other engineers.

Rule4.7 Shall give proper credit for professional work to those to whom credit is due.

Shall not resort to any form of plagiarism in their work. (new) This includes
use of such materials as written text, statistics or similar data, diagrams,
illustrations and photographs in reports, publications, examination answers,
Rule4.8
coursework submitted for academic or professional qualifications etc.,
without permission, acknowledgement or reference, as if it is the person’s
own work.

Shall act with due regard to intellectual property rights of others in their
Rule4.9
work.

Shall not engage in unfair competition including charging of extremely high

Rule4.1
or low professional fees compared to market rates, in delivering professional
0
services

Clause 7

Engineers shall give evidence, express opinions or make statements in an objective and
truthful manner.

Engineers professional reports, statements or testimony before any tribunal

shall be objective and such opinions shall be expressed only on the basis of
Rule7.
adequate knowledge and technical competence in the area, but this does not
1
preclude a considered judgment based intuitively on experience and wide
relevant knowledge.

Engineers shall reveal the existence of any interest, pecuniary or otherwise that
Rule7.
could be taken to affect their judgment in a technical matter about which they
2
are making a statement or giving evidence.

In the Last case study M.4, The workers are well aware of this expectation and went along
with it in order to keep their jobs. Senuri is shocked to learn this illegal practice had become
part of the company culture, but the superv. Senuri is confused to see her factory workers
continuing to work well past the end of their 8-hour shift. She then goes to the factory
supervisor (who reports to her) to express concern because the factory does not have the
budget to pay so many workers overtime. The supervisor smiles at Senuri and explains that
the factory meets production goals by making the factory workers work off the clock.

Clause 1

Engineers shall hold paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public and proper
utilization of the funds and other resources in the performance of their professional duties. It
shall take precedence over their responsibility to the profession, sectoral or private interests,
employers or to other engineers. As the first requirement places the interests of the
community above all others, Engineers:

shall be objective and truthful in writing professional reports, issuing

Rule1.
statements or submitting testimony. They shall include all relevant and
1
pertinent information in such reports, statements or testimony.

Rule1. Shall endeavour at all times to maintain engineering services essential to public
2 welfare.

Rule1. Shall work in conformity with recognized engineering standards so as not to

3 jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Shall not participate in assignments that would create conflict of interest

Rule1.
between their clients / employers and the public and shall advise the client of
4
their concerns.

Shall, in the event of their judgment being over-ruled in matters pertaining to

Rule1. health, safety and welfare of the community, inform their clients or employers
5 of the possible consequences and bring to the clients' / employers' notice their
obligations as professionals to inform the relevant authority.

Shall contribute to public discussion on engineering matters in their areas of

Rule1.
competence; if they consider that by so doing they can constructively advance
6
the wellbeing of the community.
 Having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code by others shall co-
Rule1.
operate with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or assistance
7
as may be required.

Rule1. Shall not knowingly participate in any act, which will result in waste or
8 misappropriation of public funds.

Shall actively contribute to the wellbeing of the society and, when involved, in
Rule1. any engineering project or application of technology, shall, where appropriate,
9 recognize the need to identify, inform and consult affected parties to help
resolve problems involved.

Clause 6

Engineers shall apply their skills and knowledge in the interest of their employer or client for
whom they shall act, in professional matters, as faithful agents or trustees, so far as they do
not conflict with the other requirements listed here and the general public interest.
It follows that engineers :

Shall at all times avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest that involve
the engineer himself. They should keep their employers or clients fully
Rule6.1 informed on all matters, including financial interests, which could lead to such
a conflict, and under no circumstances should they participate in any decision
which could involve them in conflict of interest.

Shall when acting as administrators of a contract be impartial between the

parties in the interpretation of the contract. This requirement of impartiality
Rule6.2
shall not diminish the duty of engineers to apply their skill and knowledge in
the interests of their employers or clients.

Shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise from more than one party
Rule6.3 for services on the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed
and agreed to, by all interested parties.

Shall neither solicit nor accept financial or other valuable consideration,

including free engineering designs, from material or equipment suppliers for
Rule6.4
specifying their products (except such designs obtained with the knowledge
and consent of the employer or client).
 Shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, directly or indirectly from contractors
Rule6.5 or their agents, or other  parties dealing with their clients or employers in
connection with work for which they are responsible.

Shall not accept a commission, fee, reward or other benefit from a Third Party,
Rule6.6
while advising a client.

Shall advise their clients or employers when as a result of their studies they
Rule6.7
believe that a project will not be viable.

Shall neither disclose nor use confidential information gained in the course of
Rule6.8 their employment without express permission, except where public interest and
safety are involved.

Shall not complete, sign, or seal designs and/or specifications that are not safe
to the public health and welfare and in conformity with accepted engineering
Rule6.9 standards. If the client or employer insists on such unprofessional conduct, they
shall notify the proper authorities and withdraw from further service on the
project.

FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION

Janitha’s company project of installing solar panels good for the eastern province. And also it
would be advantageous to the sponsor and good business partnership between the two
companies. But it is an expensive a high maintenance project. According to my opinion this
project good for eastern province because that province have dry weather. Therefore it would
be advantage to hydro electric power in our country. But solar panel installation is that it may
not be practical in the long term as in a previous project equipment had been stolen from the
same region to exchange for money. If the company implement their project money should be
wasted. A company can be provide a another good lighting program with less costly
community will be gives their support.
Rasika show her good professional ethics in this incident. As a professional engineer she has
to responsible for human been. Rasika is a honest worker.it was not right to omit the safety
testing falsify contract documents. This batch incident give a bad to the U hub company.
Company has to maintain responsible to restore in the filtration. And also company has to
tolerate a high cost to restore the filtration mechanism and also company responsible to check
the quality of filtration system. But I think company missed their functions. So community
had to force mainly troubles. If company maintain the filtration machine properly a if
community inform about value filtration. They will use filter water.
Senuri was to her position but her experiences are weak. Although factory workers working
overtime senuri’s company cant get sufficient income so she thinks her works salary this
incident shows that she was concerned about their lights and quality of life. If she inform to
the professional association, senuri can solve this problem. Company decides to give
incentives for the factory workers, it would motivate them to work efficiently.

CONCLUSIONS

So by studying these four case studies ,I realized that although many organizations provide
broad principles on expected ethical behavior in the form of a Code of Conduct. However,
the responsibility to apply the guidelines and use sound judgment in situations that could
compromise integrity is up to the individual. It is the individuals choice not to commit
dishonest destructive or illegal acts – even if instructed by a supervisor, co-worker or others
to act improperly. It is no justification to claim that a higher authority ordered illegal acts.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.dsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/EthicalTheories.pdf
2. https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/thinking_tools/
3. https://books.google.co.uk/books?
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nnering&ots=Tnptp9fZhX&sig=6PfS7---
AKJPQ1jBdj0AtDGKazA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=ethical%20conceptsin
%20enginnering&f=false
4. https://present5.com/ethical-concerns-in-nursing-practice-1-values/
5. https://status.net/articles/ethical-decision-making-process-model-framework/
6. https://iesl.lk/

7. University of Moratuwa Lecture materials